Give Your Views On Merton's Services

Researchers could be knocking on your door from next week (October 22) until November 23, asking you to take part in the 2012 Annual Residents' Survey for Merton.

Every year Merton borough council commissions a borough-wide survey of 1,000 residents and 250 young people aged 11-17.

Participants are surveyed by independent researchers about their views on their community, local services and the council. The survey has been carried out during the past 11 years.

Last year's survey showed crime was the number one concern of most Merton people, with 34% picking crime as the issue they were most concerned about.

But this was a 3% fall on the number of people giving crime as their top concern in 2010-11, and was 6% less than the number of people across London giving it as their biggest issue.

Concern with litter/dirt in the streets was also "significant", according to the report, as well as a drop in satisfaction with re-cycling facilities

Overall it
revealed Merton was out-performing the rest of London on the majority of services it provides to residents. Key services where the council was performing well included libraries, social services for children and families, leisure and sports facilities, local health facilities and activities for young people. The borough also scored highly on providing value for money, involving residents in local decision-making and listening to residents' concerns.

Merton Council deputy leader and cabinet member for performance and implementation, Councillor Mark Betteridge, said: "We hope residents will use this opportunity to let us know how they think the council is doing, as well as commenting on the issues and services which affect them the most. The survey results play an important part in helping us to keep in touch with the needs of local people and focusing our efforts on improving services in these difficult financial times."